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From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Bahamas International Film Festival
Nassau, Bahamas - American actor, Johnny Depp graciously and humbly received a career achievement award last night during a tribute held in his honour at the 6th annual Bahamas International Film Festival. The actor, director and musician arrived at The Balmoral Club in a pin-striped suit and was greeted by Festival founder Leslie Vanderpool, and then fielded questions from the press before attending a private reception in the historic mansion where he met Sir Sean Connery for the first time. When asked how he felt about receiving the award he said he was "a little stupefied by the notion" of winning awards. "The first thing I say is 'why?' I just go to work like anyone else, except my job is a little stranger," added Depp. A large audience gathered on the lawn outside of The Balmoral to see one of their favourite actors in an outdoor setting boasting the beauty of The Bahamas with a backdrop of palms and vines. The event was sponsored by The Balmoral and private bankers Lombard Odier Darier Henstch.
Special guests and film makers from around the world descended the stairs from The Balmoral to be seated in the outdoor theatre, and after Miss Vanderpool welcomed the audience, including such local dignitaries as US Ambassador to The Bahamas, her excellency Nicole Avant, and director general of the Ministry of Tourism, Vernice Walkine along with the Bahamas film commissioner Craig Woods, Sir Sean Connery was invited to the stage to present the award to Mr. Depp. Both actors are also residents of The Bahamas and throughout the night many wonderful things were said by them about their second home. Sir Sean Connery has been a patron of the Festival for years and has always encouraged the further development of film making in The Bahamas, offering such suggestions as a 'film house' to be built in Nassau. After the presentation of a the wood carved award, representing the fish logo of the Bahamas International Film Festival, a question and answer session took place. The last person to ask a question from the audience happened to be a young Bahamian artist who presented Mr. Depp with a portrait he had done of him.
Depp revealed that he would be spending Christmas on his private Bahamian island in the Exumas. "This place is as close to paradise as anywhere you can get," he said about The Bahamas, and he said he'd be pleased to do any work in a place he loves to be. He said he will be back in his his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in the next Pirates of The Caribbean film in summer of 2011. The evening ended with a montage of Depp's greatest roles from Edward Scissorhands, Sweeney Todd and of course Jack Sparrow of Pirates of the Caribbean.After the tribute a private dinner was held in his honour at The Balmoral for Depp, Connery and special VIP guests.
Photos © www.
The B ahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) is a nonprofit organization committed to providing the local community and international festival-goers with a diverse presentation of films from the Bahamas and around the world. In addition to showcasing films that might not otherwise be released theatrically, BIFF provides unique cultural experiences, educational programs, and forums for exploring the past, present and future of cinema. BIFF aims to raise the level of filmmaking, participation and education throughout the Bahamas and the world. For additional information please visit www.bintlfilmfest.com Stay tuned for our upcoming video coverage of the event by The Bahamas Weekly.
Travel for The Bahamas Weekly News Team provided by SkyBahamas Airlines
 Ms Whachell's outfit provided by Bandolera fashions 
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